Telephone interviews
Telephone interviews are sometimes used as part of the recruitment process. They are a cost-effective way for companies to draw up a final shortlist for face-to-face interviews. Prepare for them as you would for a face-to-face interview because they are just as important.
How to prepare
When arranging the interview choose a convenient time when you are not rushing to or from another activity. You need to be relaxed and unhurried. Make the interview a priority and set the time aside, even if it means missing other things.
Prepare as you would for any interview. Think of questions you may be asked and practise your responses with a friend, family member or university careers counsellor.
See our information on Interviews and Research and preparation.
On the day – tips for telephone interviews
Have a pen, paper and your application form to hand in case you need to make notes or refer to it.
Make sure that your phone’s battery is fully charged.
Sit somewhere that is comfortable but allows you to sit upright. You will feel more alert and your voice will reflect this. Don't sit at your computer checking your emails or surfing the internet.
Turn off the television and any music that is playing before the call. Tell anyone else who is around that you are expecting the call and ask them not to disturb you or make a noise.
Listen carefully to the interviewer and try to talk slowly and clearly. Pay attention to the speed of your voice. If you usually talk fast try and slow down. If you tend to speak in a slow and ponderous way then try to lift the tone and pitch of your voice. Your words, rhythm and tone need to convey what you would normally communicate with body language.
Smile when you speak. Strange as it sounds smiles are detectable in your voice and can affect the way you feel. A smile can be the sign of a confident, enthusiastic and positive person, and this will come across in your voice.
Don’t be put off by pauses or lack or encouragement from the interviewer. This can happen in any interview and is simply more noticeable on the telephone. They may be taking notes and looking at the questions they need to ask next.
Don’t drink or smoke – telephones can amplify noise. You would not do this in person, so don’t do it on the phone either.
Close positively by thanking the interviewer and possibly reconfirming your interest in the position and the company.
Types of telephone interviews
Unannounced
Someone from the company or their nominated recruitment agency will ring you without warning. This interview will usually be short and structured. The questions will be identical for all candidates so that answers can be scored and compared. If the call is at an inconvenient time, don't be afraid to say so and arrange a more suitable time with them.
Prearranged
You will be contacted to arrange a time when a representative from the company will call you, and are likely to be briefed as to the style of the questions. There are two formats for prearranged telephone interviews:
Automated interviews: You will be sent a personal identification number (PIN) and asked to call the company during a specified time period. You will then be asked to answer a number of agree/disagree questions (there could be up to 80 questions) using a touchtone phone. Some of these questions may be very similar and will be used to test the consistency and truthfulness of your answers.
Competency interviews: These are more like traditional face-to-face interviews, which will test your competency for the role.
Sales
You will receive a telephone call asking you to sell something to the interviewer.
These are often used for jobs involving selling (e.g. call centre/telesales staff) to test your sales skills and telephone manner.